Back at it!!

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been awhile.  I started last year with this blog following my journey through my first season as a professional golfer.  I had an amazing year and was very thankful for all the support I had throughout.  As you probably noticed, my blog has been non-existent for the past seven months.  I realized that even though I wanted to do it all, I had to refocus my attention to some other things involving my golf career.  I love being able to share my experience with my biggest supporters and I am officially back at it.  My season for the Cactus tour starts in February and Symetra Tour starts in February as well.  I am excited and ready for the new year to begin!

Rewind....

All year long I played in tournament throughout Arizona and a few Opens across the country
even making my first paycheck at the Florida Women's Open.  In August I moved to Florida for a month and competed in the LPGA Qualifying School (Stage 1).  The first day I was nervous and did not play as well as I had hoped but the second day I shot even par.  My score allowed me to gain some Symetra Tour status for 2013 (Symetra Tour was formerly known as the Future's Tour).  I learned so much from the month I spent In Daytona Beach with 250 other talented golfers.  

I have had great learning experiences and made some large leaps and bounds when it comes to my game.  I love being able to have everyone involved in my journey.  I could not have made it through this past year without the love and support from family, friends, and even some complete strangers.

I will be updating my calendar of events on here and on my website very soon..  I am in the middle of sending in paperwork and will know my schedule shortly.  If you have any questions, comments, advice, or just want to say hi, feel free to contact me via Email, Twitter, or Facebook.  This year is going to be a fantastic year and I am looking forward to making this a golf home for you all.  


Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
Amanda

Orange tree Golf Course

Hello everyone-

I hope this blog finds you starting up a great week.  I have been traveling non-stop and honestly enjoying every minute if it.  I have been a little slow with my blogs but promise I am doing my best.

Orange Tree
 This time around at orange tree I felt confident going into the tournament.  the first day I shot 75 with a few three putts and missed birdies but felt I was striking the ball decently.  Day 2 was completely different...have you ever played a round of golf and afterward wondered how you shot what you did considering you played terribly.  I shot 76 and honestly had to fight for everything.  My putting saved my round and for that I was very proud because I have been putting a lot of time in with putting practice.  The round was frustrating because I did not play well but a breakthrough because I still shot 76 on a train wreck of a day.  The final round came and I felt good going into the round.  I stayed calm and consistent and shot 73.  My rounds are now becoming more consistent and allowing me to stay confident in my dream.  I feel as though my game is so incredibly close to moving to the next level.

Also I would like to announce that I started my website www.team-amanda.com   Check it out!!
I am continuing to add more features to the site as i go along.  Any suggestions please email me.


This week I'm playing Ocotillo in Chandler, Arizona.  
Have a great week!

Wigwam and Palmbrook

Hello Everyone...


I know it has been awhile and I haven't posted in a few weeks but I have been on the road nonstop.  This point in the season I am starting to find my rhythm and comfort out on the course.  I am starting to feel as though I belong amongst the other girls and am excited to compete.  Been doing a lot of work with my putting game and trying to focus on making those important clutch putts.  This blog is going to be a combined blog for the past two events since it has taken me awhile to post.  Both courses I have played before at the beginning of the season and therefore I will not be giving them a course review.  I feel that both courses earned the score I gave them back in January.

Wigwam-
This was my second time playing Wigwam only this time we had a ton of wind to deal with.  It started the day of the pro am and continued throughout the week.  The pro am was a huge success and I met some wonderful people.  We are always so appreciative of the people who find time to play in the pro am because it adds money to our purse for the week.  I played decent but could not putt for the life of me.  As you read the week I played in Florida, I putted lights out.  Golf is unfortunately one of the few sports that consistency is difficult to find.  I went back home frustrated and a little heartbroken that my putting stroke was all over the place.  There is nothing scarier than standing over a putt not knowing how hard to hit it because you have lost your feel and confidence.  I worked really hard the following week in order to prepare for the Penny Pulz Palmbrook event.  

Palmbrook-  If you remember my last post on this course I mentioned they were some of the hardest greens I had ever faced.  I felt prepared as I worked hard on my putting before this event.  I was amazed as how different the course seemed than last time.  Now remember, this was my first course ever played in a professional event and this time would be my 8th.  All I can say is what a tremendous difference experience makes.  The course still played tough but I felt much more at ease and was excited to face it again.  We also started the week off with a pro am and I was blessed to once again meet incredible people.  Course knowledge was handed out by the tons and laughs were shared throughout the day.  


This pro am was a very special one because of one amazing little girl.  The first pro am we had at Palmbrook I met a little girl Madison who came out to watch and meet the Cactus Tour girls.  I signed a towel for her and enjoyed meeting her.  This time around Madison heard about the pro am and told her dad he had to play so she could come watch and ride along.  Throughout the day word spread from girl to girl about Madison and how she was a golfer as well.  She takes lessons from Penny Pulz and cannot wait to jump into the pond after winning the Nabisco.  These are the people in life that make your job completely worth while.  We often forget as we are focused on playing golf that we are also role models for others.  I am so proud of Madison and wish her all the best! 


I am currently in Scottsdale playing at Orange Tree this week!


Stay tuned for the updates and please tell everyone about the blog.  


Amanda

Florida Women's Open

This past week I played in the Florida Women’s Open in Orlando Florida.  This tournament was not a Cactus Tour event and had a much larger field then expected.  When arriving at the course I was nothing other than shocked.  The course was in decent condition but the greens were completely bare.  I mean they didn’t have any, and I repeat any grass on the greens.  This tournament is a huge event that many LPGA and Future Tour players attend and I could not believe what I saw as I stood on the driving range before my practice round.  I played the practice round and as my putts bumped their way to hole I started to feel frustrated.  Not guaranteed a two putt from 8 feet is not enjoyable. 

That night before the tournament I reevaluated the situation and decided I was playing on the same course in the same conditions as every other girl in the event.  So why had I been upset?  If anyone knew how to grind it out on a rough course it was me.  I grew up on a small hometown course where grass was sparse and you never knew the lye you were going to get.  The next day I headed out to the course with a new attitude and told myself if I didn’t want to have to worry about putting then I would need to simply stick the ball closer.  My game strategy…well what do you know?...it adapted.  I decided to play my game and if putts fell in I would be happy.

With the attitude I played the best I have in a tournament.  I wasn’t worried about missing putts so I putted a little more aggressively which actually allowed for more putts to fall.  As I said, one of my main strategies was too focus on my approach shots.  On hole 5 from 138 yards I struck an aggressive 8 iron at the pin and holed out for eagle.  I shot 72 that day followed by 73 on the second day.  The third and final day I was a bit more nervous because I had never played so well in a tournament before.  I struck the ball well and without losing faith in my game I shot 76.  I had a small bogey train on the back nine but revived my score with two birdies to finish the round. Overall I finished 13th out of 54 girls and made my first professional paycheck!

Course Review: Rio Pinar Country Club

 I normally write a lengthy review about a course but honestly i don't have much to say other than don't play here.  I told you that I would always give my honest and blunt opinion because there is nothing worse than receiving sugar-coated reviews.  I feel you need to know the truth and why waste your time at a place that is not worth your time.  The course is located in Orlando, Florida tucked back off the 4 freeway.  The course is in "okay" condition but they had a chemical mix up on the greens and they lost all of their grass.  We were putting on rolled mud.  The practice facility is in poor shape.  With the space to have a great facility they do not keep it in shape.

I give it 2 Stars

Amanda

Event #5 Wildfire

Event #5 Wildfire 


 This past week I played at Wildfire in Phoenix Arizona. The course was preparing for the R.R. Donnelly and the course was in great shape. The first day I played extremely well and felt comfortable. It seems as though my game is becoming more consistent as my nerves are learning to settle down. The second day there were severe winds that we all fought against. I started off the day a little rocky and unsettled but then regained my focus on the back and actually made up for a few strokes. The last and final day we had 50mph winds and it was comical. Aiming sometimes as much as 20 yards left of a target made for a long day. I played lights out on the front nine with back to back birdies and a string of pars but completely lost what I had going on the back nine. I was frustrated but hung in there. The wind was a great experience to play in and I felt I handled it decently. These kinds of rounds are what make you a stronger player. 

 On a side note…Because the RR Donnelly was the following week there were a bunch of LPGA girls playing in our Cactus event. This allowed them to have an entire week to play the course. The third day of the event I had a great opportunity and was paired with the great Pat Hurst. For those of you who do not know, Pat Hurst is a full time LPGA player since 1994. She has had 11 career wins including the Kraft Nabisco and Rookie of the Year in 1995. It was not only an honor to play with her but a great chance for me to see where I stood and what I could improve on to someday be playing just as she does. Playing with these ladies allowed me to see what they do to be successful and that they are human just like the rest of us. She joked during the round stating that she also had fears and nerves just like the rest of us. As simple as that is to understand it struck me deeply. To really see that I could compete with here was what I truly needed.

Pat Hurst!

 Course Review: Wildfire is located in North Phoenix out by itself in the middle of a luxurious resort. The Palmer and Faldo courses are true desert links golf courses that are in pristine condition. The range is very spacious and well manicured. Ample room for practicing and if you’re ever in the area stop by and practice your game. The famous Palmer bunker design keeps you on your toes and tests your ability around the greens. This course is a great place to go for a golf vacation and gives you the feeling of what true golf should feel like.

 I give it 5 stars! 


 Have a great week! 


 Amanda

A Positive Road

Hey everyone. Hope your week is going well and your making time for important people in your life.  In this blog I wanted to talk about something that not only is applicable to the golf game but to life in general.  People play a large role in who we are as individuals.  Everyday we interact with others sharing our experiences, advice, heartache, and laughs.  Think about all the people in your life whether they are family, friends, or mere acquaintances.  A question that we should be asking ourselves is whether or not these people are positive influences.  All too often we hold on to relationships or friendships when they are actually draining us.  Golf requires enough focus as it is and positive influences do make a difference.  No matter what you are pursuing you have to surround yourself with those that want to see you succeed.

I have been very blessed along this journey.  Starting with a very supporting family, I was able to follow a dream very easily.  They know it means the world to me to be playing golf full time and have always helped in any way they could.  My dad has been caddying for me and has been very positive even through the rough scores.  My life overall has been filled with many people who are genuine and very supportive.  Think about all the times you were doing something stressful or something where there was a risk/reward factor.  What would happen if you didn't succeed?  Would those around you still support you?  If you are thinking anything other than "yes" those friends or family might be unknowingly keeping you from achieving your highest potential.

 Like I said I have been very blessed again and again with supportive people.  Recently I met a group of guys that play golf every weekend and invite me to join in there weekly rounds.  What could have easily just been a group to play with has turned into great friendships. I am overwhelmed with the support and positive light they share. With people like these in my life, it makes it so much easier to embrace the journey I am on.

All said and done, you deserve to feel love and support from family and friends no matter what you are doing. Those negative people in your life might be pulling on you, whether you know it or not. We get one life to live and be happy. Why not share it with others who feel the same way!



Hope everyone is having a great week!  I am in Arizona and then off to Florida next week for the Florida Women's Open in Orlando.  Make sure to keep following and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.


Amanda

Event #4 Ocotillo Golf Course

Hi everyone

Sorry for the late blog.  I have been feeling under the weather and took a few days off.

I played my practice round with a friend of mine Jason and had a great time.  It was nice to play with someone who has a fantastic golf game and knows what it is like to make this a career.

In previous blogs I wrote about golf and how this journey is a process.  This week at Ocotillo Golf Course it started to come together with two solid rounds. My game is improving as I realize that I should be more confident in the game I have.  Golf can be very humbling at times but while one realizes that no round is perfect there is always hope for a great shot no matter how bad the round might be.  I try and stay positive throughout my golf round no matter how I am playing or the shots I am making, but sometimes you ask yourself if staying positive actually fixes anything.  My answer to this often asked question is this:  A positive attitude might not always fix or change how you are swinging but at least it usually keeps matters from becoming worse.  In golf, great shots come when least expected and sometimes all it takes is a little positive energy to turn the back nine around. 

Course Review- Ocotillo Golf Resort

This luscious emerald green course sits in the heart of Chandler, Arizona.  Three nines hearty, it is enriched with small lakes running throughout the entire property.  While the water looks intimidating it is a breath-taking scene.  We played the Gold and Blue course leaving the White for those resort golfers who dare the challenge.  Driving up Country Club Drive one is consumed with the course's enchanting feel.  With a beautiful dining terrace and ample space to enjoy its other elements, the course accommodates everyone.  The driving range is quite spacious and in great shape.  The putting green and chipping area are uniquely placed if front of the dining terrace, leaving you a royal feeling of importance as you work on your game in front of an audience.  Overall the course plays fair and rewards those who can control their drivers.  Set yourself up in a good position and find yourself putting for birdie after birdie.

I give it 4.5 stars

I hope everyone is having a great week and continuing to work on their golf game.  I have this week off and am taking next week off as well in preparation for Florida in a couple weeks.  My next event will be the Wildfire event March 5-7.  I’ll be around these next few weeks and if anyone has anyone comments or questions feel free to contact me. 

Amanda

Event #3 Wigwam

Hello Everyone

I seem to remember greatgolfers often saying the game takes time. One shot at a time. The first day Ihad a few birdies and some bogeys.  Thesecond round I felt at ease but could not sink any of my birdie putts.  I had something like 8 birdie putts within 8feet and couldn't drop any.  With a few bogeys and no birdies my round stood "decent" again.  Sitting in the middle of the pack a strong3rd round could possibly place me in the money. The 3rd round I struggled settling into a rhythm which left me scramblingall day.  The round felt as though I hadshot 90 and I was quite surprised when I still broke 80.  I saved par with an up and down 7 times.  Nothing like making yourself work a little.

              My best rounds usuallyfeel as though I just swing and everything falls in to place.  I notice that when I shoot 70 it never feelsas though I had to work hard.  My mind isat ease and I just let things happen rather than forcing them to happen.  My mental game is getting stronger everyround but sometimes I believe I push too hard to for a par or birdie. 
              I was once told that golf is one of the fewthings in life that you can't "want too much" and it actually takesaway from your game.  My personality is astrong one and anyone who knows me, knows that I am very hard on myself attimes.  It's strange because most peopleget hung up on the bad shots.  I myselflet the bad shots go but seem to cling to the adrenaline of the great shots.  It kills me to shoot a poor round because Iknow I am capable of great shots.  Firstround of the event, hole 18, dog leg left par five, I hit my second shot and itclips a tree which spits me out into a water hazard.  My ball is sitting half out of the water andon the small mud bank.  I climb down intothe water (shoes and all) with a hybrid and from a slippery mud bank with feetfully submerged I managed to hit a 180 yard third shot to be left with a 10 yardchip across the green.  What makes mecringe is the fact that I can hit a crazy and unpredictable shot like that andstill shoot just "decent."

         People always say thatthey have found their calling and they knew it right when it happened.  They could "feel it inside theirheart." When starting golf about 6 years ago I fell in love with it butwas never sure if it was my true calling. Ever since I turned pro and have played these last 3 events (regardlessof score) I KNOW this is what I am supposed to be doing.  I feel it stronger than I have ever felt itin my heart.  And while people continueto ask "what's going on with my game" or "why I am not shootingbetter" I will continue knowing that it will come with time.  It's a different world out on the pro circuitand it's the hardest thing I have ever done. That's why I absolutely am in love with it.

Review: Wigwam Golf Resort (Red/HeritageCourse)

           The course sits on theoutskirts of Phoenix in Litchfield.  Ithas three courses and the Red sits about a 5 minute cart ride away from theother two.  It was built in the early 1900'sand has a slightly older feel.  Not muchwater on the course but it has some brutal dog legs that require your undividedattention.  The course definitely has itsfair share of Fairway and green side bunkers. Most green side bunkers seem to be about 10 yards from the actualgreen.  A different look on approachshots is required.  All greens are rockhard causing one to strategically place their approach shot 10 yards short ofthe pin allowing it to roll up.  Thecourse is in pretty good shape but one can tell the course gets a lot ofplay.  A fun little course to test yourbag of shots.  Stay in the fairways andyou will have the time of your life. Miss the fairway and you will be swinging your life away. Haha. Practicefacility has ample room and has a huge chipping green to work on short and longshots.  Well done Wigwam!

I give it 3.5 stars!

 

Keep tuning in and please spread theword about my blog.  Everyone is welcome!

Event #2 Orange Tree Golf Resort

Hello Everyone

Well I survived my second event at Orange Tree Country Club.  Played a practice round Sunday and then played Mon-Wed.  I played decent but definitely not up to my true potential.  The practice round went smoothly and I felt prepared for the event.  Day one I had a great front nine with a few trouble holes on the back.  I had a water ball and an OB which definitely did not help my score.  The second day was a little better but I still had a water ball that kept me from shooting 74.  The last day I did not strike the ball as well but hung in there and made a few birdies.  Overall, the round did not portray what I know I can do out on the course.

Reflection-  So I definitely learned a few things as I stepped back and took a look at three days.  I believe golf is a sport in which one has to let it happen and not always try to force a better score.  My caddy and I discovered a few things we could do better as a team as well.   It's just a matter of time but it will come together. One important thing I paid attention this week was physical stamina.  Because of nerves I usually only eat something small like a piece of toast or cereal before the round.  The first day, around hole 10,  I was very shaky and interpreted that as nerves. (but why would I be nervous after 9 holes?). I started to lose focus and when I turned in my score card I noticed I was even on the front and a million over on the back.  This has been the pattern for the past few tournament rounds (hmmm).  It finally hit me that I was starving myself and therefore losing focus.  I was so involved with my game that I ignored my body and what it needed to have a successful round.  I now eat a breakfast of protein and carbs to create a most substantial effect. I also eat a small handful of nuts, granola, or fruit every 3 or 4 holes.  I think it is key to listen to your body and pay attention to how it reacts to things like nerves and adrenaline.  Remember…Everyone is different.

Course review:

Orange Tree Golf Resort is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  It is your traditional golf resort with condos right on the course and a very comfortable feel.  The course itself is about 50 years mature and is a "what you see is what you get" style.  The course is lined with trees and fairly flat.  The course fell into bankruptcy about a year ago and was bought and taken over by a Scottsdale golf group and they are doing everything they can to get it back to mint condition.  The course itself was not bad as the greens rolled pretty true and fairways were nice.  Because the course is older the greens are very small and surrounded by bunkers.  If you can hit a reasonable approach shot you have a good chance for your birdie or par.  The only part of the course that I was truly not happy with was the driving range.  We literally warmed up in a pile of sand.  Eventually we found a spot to the side of the range that had a bit of grass but the actual range lacked even one blade of green.  It was disappointing as many people found frustration.  Pay for a golf resort and not feel warmed up before your round…Not a good thing.  The practice greens were as good as they could be but at least rolled the same as the greens, just maybe a few less bumps along the way. The starter and rest of the staff were very accommodating and friendly.  They definitely helped the “resort feel” and welcomed all guests.  I wouldn’t say that I do not recommend this course as long as you understand it is a work in progress.  So if you’re on your only week vacation of the year and you are expecting to play something like Pebble Beach I probably would look into something else. 

I give it 3 Stars

Headed to Wigwam in the Phoenix area this Monday!

P.S.  Don't forget to spread the word to all your golfing friends.  Feel free to email or comment. :-)

Amanda

Speed Whoosh

Hey everyone.  I hope you are all having a great week and working on your game.  I am getting ready to leave for my second event in Scottsdale, Arizona this Saturday.  I am excited and ready to compete!

Review:  Speed Whoosh

So I am not much of a  "gadgets and gizmos" gal but when I find something that really is worth talking about I promise I will share it with you all.  We are always looking for something to improve our game and fix our swing so we can hit the ball like Tiger.  The Speed Whoosh is as simple as they come and only takes about 10-15 swings each day.  There is not any "build it yourself" pieces or detailed instructions.  You pull it out of the box and it is ready to transform your swing speed.  The tool is designed to create more swing speed and harder impact when the club reaches the ball.  Many devices we see on television have these similar goals in mind but the Speed Whoosh is much more manageable.  Many products that want to speed up swing velocity are weighted in some shape or form.  The problem I have found with weighted clubs and heavy devices is that they can cause some unnecessary muscle pull or slight injuries.  I always believe that golf products targeting swing speed should market to a general audience because everyone could use a little more distance in their drive.  Older golfers or anyone with shoulder or back injuries should not be swingin' a sledge hammer around to get stronger. (I'm serious.....I have heard golf professionals say "sledge hammer.") This simple product is light and allows anyone to swing at their own speed.  The idea is that the ball slides down to the end of the shaft as you swing through and this creates a feeling of stronger impact.  When you switch back to a club the muscle memory of the Speed Whoosh stays present.  Another reason that this product is awesome is that it reiterates the fact that swinging hard is never a problem as long as you swing hard on your down swing.  Who doesn't want more distance.


I personally use this everyday and it literally has added 5-10 yards to my drives.  I bought it on EBay for about 70 dollars and it is easy to carry in your golf bag along with your other clubs.  I personally have a few shoulder issues and I have never had a problem with the product.  There are different lengths for men and women so make sure you get the correct one when you order it.

I give it 5 stars!


Warning:  Do not try and be the next Tiger and swing this product while watching Golf Channel in the house.  Your spouse finally let you buy one of these "swing aide" products so don't ruin it by breaking a lamp in the living room.  HAHA


Remember that this blog is intended to be an open forum.  Feel free to ask questions, post comments, or let me know of something interesting going on in the golf world.  Would love to chat about it.  Also, you can always email me at Golfpro295@gmail.com. 


Amanda

Event 1- Palmbrook Country Club

Event 1  Pro am- I was feeling nervous but excited in the morning before the event started. Felt great in warm up and decided to relax and enjoy myself.  Played as a Pro with 4 amateurs in a very fun event and it was a joy to have their support.  Irv, Bob, John, and Dutch were awesome guys who showed me a lot about the course.  Highlight of the day.... A little girl about 5 years old came up to me and asked for my autograph and picture.  She told me that she wanted to be a professional golfer when she grew up and that she was very excited to meet all all of the girls.  This reminded me of how much we impact others and how important it is for me to be a great role model for young girls.   Each amateur payed to play and all the proceeds went towards the Cactus Tour.  We are so fortunate for these awesome people who support women's golf.  A huge thanks to Penny Pulz for putting the event together along with the owner of the Cactus Tour, Mike Brown.  Gained a lot of insight through this event and was very happy to be a part of it!

Tournament-  I was proud to say I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be.  Day one I scored horrible but played well.  Couldn't make any putts.  Some of the toughest greens I have ever seen were present this week.  As easy as it would be to becomes frustrated I tried to stay focused and finish strong.  Day two I played better with a little more confidence in my putting.  Day three was interesting. I played extremely well (or though it felt) with one really bad hole that threw my score out the window.  Overall I was bummed I didn't play to my true potential but extremely fortunate for learning as much as I did.  Despite my score, this tournament actually boosted my confidence and allowed me to see that I CAN keep up with these girls.  I was excited before but now I'm hooked.  Hooked on figuring out how to win and keep my mental game under control.  I am so happy that I have the support to continue this wild journey.  

Course Review:  If you are ever in Sun City, AZ I recommend that you play this course.  Kept in great shape throughout the year, it is a treat to play.  Set in the middle of a nice residential community the course seems to be a "what you see is what you get" kind of facility but in fact it is much more difficult and exciting than meets the eye.  Now folks...I must warn you....the greens are ridiculously challenging but they will test your ability, not only as a golfer, but as a patient person.  I always pride a golf course on their practice facility because not many put that as a high priority.  We often see too many Taj Mahal club houses but unfortunately those aspects of a course are not going to make us a better patron of the game.  This course has ample room to spend all afternoon perfecting that wedge game or working on that infamous putting stroke.  Penny Pulz has worked hard with the course to keep the facility in great shape. 

 I give it 4 stars!

Next event is in Scottsdale....Don't forget to check the calendar.


Reminder:  For those of you that receive this by email, please click on the link and read the post on the actual website page.  The colors and fonts are much easier to read that when shown in the email.  And don't forget to spread the word!!!




Amanda

Getting To Know Me

Hi Everyone,
My golf career started in the summer of 2005. I was 16 years old and decided I would have to play some serious "catch up" if I was going to make this work. But before I fill you in on the golf side, lets back up a few...well practically a decade before golf. I was a lean mean...softball machine?! Yup. I played softball on a travel ball team and loved every minute of it. I loved sports and played everything I could without overloading my schedule. From dance to volleyball I wanted to do it all... When entering high school I knew softball was my passion and hoped to play in college and professionally...but as sophomore year approached something changed. I had made it to the Western Nationals and was blessed to be on a team that fought till the end and ended up taking the title. As that moment of excitement overwhelmed me I never thought I would be switching to golf by the end of that year. Sophomore year was a test to make sure I really wanted to close the softball chapter. Now for those of you who have ever picked up a golf club you understand that it isn't something you just pick up easily. So what was I thinking? Although challenging, I fell in love with the game and knew I would have to play "catch up" if I wanted to play with girls who had been doing this their whole life....I spent all of the next 2 years beating balls and playing at every chance I had available...high school taught me not only the game but the hard work it was going to take to make this a career later on. After high school I attended Pepperdine university. Upon entering college my game was not quite where it needed to be to play full time with the Pepperdine team so I decided to play a year on my own and keep training so I could walk on the following year. You know those times when you try and plan things out....You end up doing something completely unexpected. I found an amateur tour hosted by the Golf Channel. The tour was mostly men but allowed women to play...I decided to try it out and see what I could do with my game. I ended up staying with them for four years and played on the national team for California and we won the national title. I was the only female but I always felt welcomed by everyone. This helped my game in ways unthinkable. I never ended up playing for Pepperdine and while some disagreed with my decision, I wouldn't have changed it for the world. This last May I graduated from college with a degree in Psychology and have been working on my game for the past 7 months preparing for this next adventure. Every week I will try to post a review on a product/book/ or anything I find along the way. This way you can get info on golf products that hopefully lead you in the right direction. I will be sharing my experience based on my truthful opinion. Feel free to comment and or discuss anything that you find different or exciting.


This week I read Shut Up or Putt Up by Lacy Maran
The book is a very easy and light read that provides enough laughs for a lifetime. The book is written with a witty sense of humor that jabs the funny bone. The tone of voice is forward and to the point. For any golfer this is a must read because we all at one time have used crazy excuses so we don't have to blame our poor swing for the end of the day score. To be honest the last 10 pages or so seem stray from the first half but must have been necessary to the writer. So when you have an hour to kill sit back and enjoy some of golfs greatest excuses....you know you need a laugh.


Also, I leave for my first event Saturday and am feeling excited and a little nervous. Can't wait for my first professional tournament!

Amanda